Welcome to Africa

We arrived in Liberia mid afternoon local time. We exited the plane by a staircase onto the asphalt. A bus then took us to the terminal. It was exciting for me to actually be in Africa. I kept checking myself on the plane – “I’m on my way to Africa” – and now here I am.

Inside the terminal was very African, I would soon come to learn. Humid, stuffy air, and many many people. Everyone was clamoring to see a glimpse of their bag. We were standing there waiting for our luggage and sweat was dripping down my face. Welcome to Africa. 

We load up in the car and ride Liberian style – packed in like sardines. As we left the airport gate, there were 5 boys competing with each other to sell us a bunch of bananas. Oh the bananas! Sweet, starchy, small and delicious. We bought a bunch for 200 liberian dollars ($2.50 USD). 

There were many sights and sounds that we experienced on the drive: Neighborhoods were filled with puddles left by the rain and houses made up of cement walls, tin roof and no windows or doors. Clothes were hung on  lines out in the yards. Children were running around the puddles shouting in playful tones. Many more children were walking home from school in their khaki pants and green shirt uniforms

Water pumps were sprinkled among the neighborhoods and the Liberians were filling containers to bring back to their homes. There were many road side markets selling a variety of items - produce, water bags, packaged goods and gasoline in glass jars – you trust it’s real and not watered down with koolaid. Welcome to Africa.

typical street in Liberia 

roadside market stand